Tempers flared at Monday's January meeting of Drogheda Borough Council as County Manager Joan Martin said it was 'quite likely traffic lights will be feasible' when the engineer's report is brought before next month's meeting.

'A mini-roundabout may not be the solution,' Ms Martin told the members, 'and if not traffic lights, then it may be left the way it is.'

Cllr Imelda Munster, who has campaigned alongside other councillors to have a roundabout placed at this chaotic junction near the Ballymakenny Road, said it would be 'gross neglect' to leave this as it is.

'I find it unacceptable to be hearing now, after we all agreed on the funding for a roundabout, to hear it may not happen,' she said angrily.

' To suggest lights now is a big insult, especially to those who have to sit in traffic jams here every morning, and you will just leave those paying road tax, and now property tax, very cross and frustrated.'

Funding for works on the notorious junction was allocated to the surface improvements in the Donore Industrial estate, with assurances that Beechgrove would be included in the 2013 works programme.

It was examined whether Dept of Education funds could be used, and an engineer's report looking at a mini-roundabout, lights or a larger roundabout was carried out before Christmas with the results to be released next month.